Mike Johnson
ECB Publishing, Inc.
This is a sad time for Correctional Officers all around as they put the black band around their badges, paying respect to a fallen brother/sister in arms. A trainee with the Florida Department of Corrections died last week after a gun accidentally went off during a training session, the agency announced Saturday, Aug. 28.
Correctional Officer Trainee Whitney Cloud was participating in firearms training Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Harry K. Singletary Training Academy at Wakulla Correctional Institution, in Crawfordville, Fla., when her weapon accidentally discharged, fatally wounding her.
She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later died. No other officers-in-training or instructors were injured in the incident. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will lead the investigation into the incident.
"We are absolutely devastated by the loss of Officer Whitney Cloud,” Secretary of Corrections Mark Inch said in a statement. “As a newly hired officer trainee, Officer Cloud vowed to make a difference in the lives of others and protect her community. We are immensely saddened by this unexpected tragedy. Our deepest condolences go out to her loved ones and fellow officers during this extremely difficult time.”
Cloud served the Florida Department of Corrections for three months, beginning her career on June 25. She was an officer in training and was being assigned to the Jefferson Correctional Institution, in Monticello.